Social Capital

The concept of social capital encompasses the meaning and potential for productivity that results from the relationships and networks formed by actors within the social sphere. These actors, who both benefit from and contribute to the formation of social capital, can include individuals, groups, communities, and entire societies. While there are different interpretations of social capital, all recognize the crucial role of ties and social networks in fostering social bonds, providing benefits to their members, and promoting unity and prosperity within social units ranging from small groups to larger communities and societies. Social networks rooted in shared beliefs, feelings, values, and practices are seen as essential for fostering widespread reciprocity and are capable of significantly enhancing social cooperation, solidarity, and cohesion in modern democracies. The chapter provides insights in the development that led to the creation and use of the concept of social capital. It presents the conceptualizations of three of the best-known authors on the subject of social capital: Bourdieu, Coleman, and Putnam. In the last part, it, in addition to the positive aspects of social capital, outlines the concept of negative social capital, and sketches the importance of the concept of such capital in education.